10 Jan 2026 11:54:15
Here's a thought, just because RA has gone doesn't mean Wilcox is staying. We need a new Manager, and are waiting until the end of the season
Ratcliffe isn't the messiah but he's no fool. Maybe he realises this structure isn't necessarily quite right and will tweak it, either by a change of responsibilities, or change of DOF.
10 Jan 2026 12:17:07
Wilcox needs to improve. Young man in a higher position than he ever has been.
Can he command that position and make a success of it? I don't know and you don't know. But just because he made a few errors doesn't meant he can't. Its all part of the learning process and learning from experience.
I think he needs a little time just like our new manager will.
Ajh you are a big cheer leader for giving players a chance and time particularly if they are young and inexperienced. Why does that differ for wilcox?
Why should he be fired?
So give him time and a chance to fulfill the potential people see in him.
I think he should get at least 1 more go with a new manager.
AJH. In your career and several jobs you've had did you do everything perfect all the time? i'd imagine you never had the type of responsibility that wilcox has.
Does a young DOF not need a chance?
Maybe if he came through our academy or was born within a couple of miles of your house you'd be in favour of giving him a pay rise.
10 Jan 2026 12:31:20
I don't have a strong view on it, I was reacting to the posts with the rumours about RA being backed and Wilcox leaving. If Ratcliffe had decided Wilcox was going, just because RA has gone doesn't mean Wilcox is staying.
In germs of your wider point, I'd rather we didn'it haveba DOF who was learning on the job, which is why we brought in Ashworth.
Like you, I'm not getting het up about it, I'm too long in the tooth for that.
10 Jan 2026 12:31:31
Yes I think you're exactly right Ken. I think Wilcox should have been able to manage the issues with Amorim better, but there are numerous areas he has done well. Everything at the club is not terrible despite what many are espousing. The underage teams are doing well, the womens team are doing well, and the first team has improved. I disagree that RA's last presser was a sackable offence but it does seem there was other behind the scenes examples of this behaviour. Nonetheless, Wilcox seems to have pivoted from some promises made to RA because of Ratcliffe's insistence on the formation.
This may be rumour but it appears substantiated. If so that displays a weakness on Wilcox's part. I'm more concerned with the fact that they've gone for an interim replacement for Amorim immediately rather than seeming to try at all for a permanent replacement. If that goes wrong then that will - and should - fall on Wilcox. It's a massive risk that I don't understand why he is taking.
10 Jan 2026 12:50:28
Im not het up ajh just calling out double standards and putting it a different Maurice to yours. I won't ever promote hating the club.
10 Jan 2026 13:28:00
The club had an extremely competent sporting director in Dan Ashworth but Sir Jim did not like someone disagreeing with him (regarding redundancies) and not having a superstar manager (Berrada was a big Amorim advocate) in his plans.
The briefing put out against Ashworth when he left was pretty disgusting for what is supposed to be a corporate environment above the manager.
Wilcox is a man over his head and the idea that plucking anyone from Man City and assuming they are competent is ridiculous. The main guys there were Soriano, Bergiristain and of course Pep.
We are lucky that the players signed so far by the new regime are pretty manager agnostic and of a good age profile (dont see the next manager not wanting Cunha/Mbuemo and Sesko) .
But they have to get the next manager pick right and not make the stupid recruitment decisions that the previous regime did.
10 Jan 2026 13:47:36
This is all new to United. First time that they've ever really had this structure, it's going to take time. I'm just a little more enthused that the people that have been appointed are footballing people that having been working within successful structures and as you said Ajh, ratcliffe is no fool.
This was their first managerial appointment, they made the wrong choice and that is okay. I still have faith that they will get it right.
And yes, Wilcox's head is on the chopping block but it can be quickly removed if the next person they put in place manages to get a run going, then he will quickly go back into the background.
10 Jan 2026 16:36:58
The way things are going, they'll bring Ashworth back.
10 Jan 2026 16:52:31
I would be very surprised if a new DoF wasn’t in place next season.
Wilcox knows that the club were ready to sack him to keep Amorim happy, and I suspect that the only reason he is still at the club is they’re waiting for the Amorim fallout to blow over.
Personally, everything I’ve heard about him makes me question his expertise and character.
Stealing Ashworth’s job.
Telling Ratcliffe what he wanted to hear, rather than the truth.
Saying (to a reporter) that he thinks the squad is a few players away from competing for titles (that was last season) .
To me he looks like a blagger. Someone he talked himself into a job that he isn’t capable of doing properly. I don’t think that there are a lot of top coaches who wanted to work with him either.
10 Jan 2026 17:07:00
Could vivell be the one to step up into s more prominent role if we bring either tuchel or naglesman in the summer with Willcox being let go.
10 Jan 2026 18:26:26
Training ground sources say Wilcox billed himself as “like a manager” and stressed that Amorim was the coach.
Look at Wilcox CV, youth development at City, bigger role at relegated Southampton. Then telling the manager at United what to do and if the above is correct, proclaiming himself as manager.
Jason Wilcox has to go.